Abstract: A computer implemented method for time-locking a blockchain transaction. The method comprises computing a solution to a time-lock puzzle using a set of secret puzzle parameters. The time-lock puzzle is solvable using a set of puzzle parameter in a time equal to or greater than a minimum solving time. The set of puzzle parameters does not comprise the secret puzzle parameters. The method further comprises generating a transaction encryption key K, encrypting the blockchain transaction using the encryption key K, and encrypting the transaction encryption key K using the solution to the time-lock puzzle.

Abstract: The invention provides improved methods and corresponding systems for the sharing, storage, creation and accessing of data stored on a blockchain e.g. the Bitcoin blockchain. It may form part of a protocol for searching the blockchain for content/data. A method in accordance with the invention may be used for associating or linking data stored within (separate/different) blockchain transactions to enable the identification, retrieval and/or sharing of data stored therein. Additionally, or alternatively, it facilitates identification of transactions (TX) in a blockchain which store content/data that needs to be shared, transmitted, stored and/or accessed by a user. Such a method comprises the step of mapping a mnemonic to: 1) a public key (PK) associated with the transaction (TX); and 2) the transaction ID (TXDD) of the transaction (TX).

Abstract: The present disclosure provides methods and systems for distributed and/or parallel processing of data records, and in particular mining of blockchain transactions in a blockchain block, and further still for generation of a Proof-of-Work (PoW) for a blockchain block. Advantageously, embodiments allow for separation of the PoW calculation from other blockchain mining/validation tasks. Preferably, a PoW requester sends a specialist PoW provider one or more of: i) a Merkle root for a Merkle tree that represents a set of transactions ii) a control transaction (TX0) and iii) a Merkle proof which confirms that TX0 is included in the set of transactions. TX0 may provide or comprise control data that the PoW provider can use to determine whether or not performance of the PoW calculation is to be performed or completed.

Abstract: A method of encrypting data at an electronic device where the electronic device is associated with a key device. Each device is associated with an asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a first private key and a first public key. Respective second private and public keys may be determined based on the first private key, first public key and a deterministic key. A secret may be determined based on the second private and public keys. The data at the electronic device may be encrypted using the determined secret or an encryption key that is based on the secret. Information indicative of the deterministic key may be sent to the key device where the information may be stored.

Abstract: An event detecting, monitoring and/or counting mechanism is disclosed. The event may be, for example, a vote, decision or selection which is made by a given entity. A counting solution is provided in which a computing resource, running simultaneously and in parallel to a blockchain, manages a loop-based operation. The computing resource continuously monitors the state of the blockchain as well as any other off-blockchain input data or source. The execution of the loop is influenced by the state of the blockchain. Each iteration of the loop that is executed by the computing resource is recorded in a transaction that is written to the blockchain. It is stored as a hash within the transaction's metadata. If the computing resource finds a transaction which contains a hash relating to the loop it accesses the relevant portion of code.

Abstract: Determining when and/or how to execute a program or script published to a blockchain network may rely on data that is external to the blockchain. A prover (e.g., a node of the blockchain network) may perform one or more computations on behalf of a client, such as the execution of the program. To execute the program properly, the prover may rely on external data, which the prover may obtain from a data provider that has a trust relationship with the client (e.g., the client accepts as valid data provided by a trusted data provider). Systems and methods described herein may be utilized by a prover to provide cryptographically verifiable assurances of the authenticity of input data purportedly obtained from a data provider, the input data utilized in the execution of a program or script published to a blockchain network. An example of a blockchain network is a Bitcoinbased network.

Abstract: A method of pseudo-randomly generating data is disclosed. The method Comprises receiving first data items (s1? s2? . . . sN?) from a plurality of first participants and combining the first data items to generate second data (?isi?). A one-way function is applied to the second data to generate third data (?isi?), wherein the one-way function is adapted to receive input data and generate output data based on the input data, wherein the input data is not deducible from the output data and the one-way function.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed that includes: receiving, at a mempool node of distributed mempool network (DMP) implementing a distributed hash table (DHT), a request to update routing information of the mempool node; initializing a set of random walks within a key space of the DHT; generating a first record in an first table based at least in part on a first identification information stored in a second of a long-distance table type; generating a second record in a third table of the long-distance table type by at least performing a first random walk of the set of random walks, the second record containing a second identification information and an address associated with the second identification information; generating a third record in a fourth table of a short-distance table type by at least obtaining records from a table maintained by a second mempool node of the DMP network.

Abstract: A target tracking apparatus includes a housing that defines an exterior surface and comprises an interior cavity, a distal opening, and an intermediate opening. The target tracking apparatus also includes a distal-end window attached to the housing over the distal opening and defining a distal end of the target tracking apparatus. The target tracking apparatus further includes an intermediate window attached to the housing over the intermediate opening. The target tracking apparatus additionally includes a first camera within the interior cavity, configured to capture images through the distal-end window, and fixed, relative to the housing, such that the first camera does not move relative to the housing. The target tracking apparatus also includes a second camera within the interior cavity, configured to capture images through the intermediate window, and fixed, relative to the housing, such that the second camera does not move relative to the housing.

Abstract: The invention provides a generic operating system for coordinating, controlling and/or influencing the activities of a device. The invention is implemented using a blockchain platform with which the operating system is arranged to interact. The blockchain may be the Bitcoin blockchain. In a preferred embodiment, the device is an Internet of Things (TOT) device. The invention provides a computer-implemented control system and corresponding method for controlling a device, the system comprising a device configured for wireless communication with a network and having an IP address and a public-private key cryptographic key pair associated with the device; a software-implemented control component arranged to monitor the state of a blockchain network and/or transmit blockchain Transactions to the blockchain network; and a set of instructions arranged for execution by the control component to control the functionality of the device.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method of generating a transaction for a blockchain, the transaction being for transferring an amount of a digital asset from a first party to a second party. The method comprises generating a first transaction comprising an output locking the amount of the digital asset, the output comprising an output script comprising a plurality of criterion components each requiring a respective input data item, and a plurality of counter script components. Each criterion component is associated with one of the counter script components. The output script is configured so as to, when executed alongside an input script of a second transaction, i) increment a counter each time a respective criterion component is satisfied by a respective input data item of the input script, and ii) to require the counter to increment to at least a predetermined number in order to be unlocked by the input script.

Abstract: Methods and system of recording work history of a mining node on a blockchain in a blockchain network. The methods may include mining a first block containing a registration generation transaction that includes, within a registration information field, a miner identifier for the mining node; and mining two or more additional blocks in an order, each additional block containing a generation transaction that includes an information field containing the miner identifier, a reference to the generation transaction of the preceding additional block in the order, wherein the registration generation transaction is a first block in the order. Work history may be verified by tracing the recorded work history and validating the miner identifier. Recorded work history may serve as the basis for a reputation score for the miner, which reflects contributed work evidenced by the proof-of-work secured work history.

Abstract: A method of storing data on a blockchain, such as the bitcoin blockchain, is disclosed. The method comprises generating a blockchain transaction having at least one first input and/or at least one first output containing first data (<Content 1>) to be stored on the blockchain, and at least one second input and/or at least one second output containing second data (<Attribute 1>,<Attribute 2>) representing at least one attribute of the first data. At least one second input and/or at least one second output is separate from the or each first input and/or first output.

Abstract: Techniques are presented for the implementation of automated processes, such as device/system control, process control, distributed computing and storage, and event detecting, monitoring and/or counting mechanism. The event may be, for example, a vote, decision or selection which is made by a given entity. A counting solution is presented in which a computing resource, running simultaneously and in parallel to the blockchain, manages a loop-based operation. The computing resource continuously monitors the state of the blockchain as well as any other off-blockchain input data or source. The execution of the loop is influenced by the state of the blockchain. Each iteration of the loop that is executed by the computing resource is recorded in a transaction that is written to the blockchain.

Abstract: Methods and devices to enable the splitting of storage and validation functions from mining function in a blockchain network. The storage and validation nodes create candidate blocks and collect block rewards from successfully mined blocks. The mining nodes provide hash power for mining the candidate blocks and received resources from the storage and validation node for successful mining of a candidate block. Atomic exchange mechanisms are described for preventing loss and fraud and minimizing the use of bandwidth by mining nodes.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is disclosed. The method includes providing a blockchain transaction comprising a public key combination verification function. The blockchain transaction is configured to be redeemable to permit access to, or transfer control of, a resource by providing to the blockchain transaction an input comprising: a plurality of public keys; a gradient value (?) related to two of the plurality of public keys; and a group public key derived from a combination of the public keys and the gradient value (?). The blockchain transaction is configured to apply the public key verification function to the input to verify, upon successful redemption of the transaction, that the group public key is derived from the combination of the plurality of public keys.

Abstract: A blockchain network may be used to improve upon public-key infrastructure by providing for fast and secure registration, revocation and update of digital certificates. A public key may be recorded on the blockchain by a certificate authority in such a manner that any third party may quickly and easily verify that the public key is certified by the certificate authority and that the certification has not been revoked. The certificate authority may be able to revoke the certification nearly instantaneously, and/or may be able to simultaneously certify a new key for the same entity while revoking the old key. In some cases, the ability to revoke a certification may be given to the owner of the public key or, in some cases, to one or even a group of other entities.

Abstract: The invention relates to blockchain technologies such as the Bitcoin blockchain, and the tokenisation of assets or entities. It is particularly suited for implementing a payroll on a blockchain platform and comprises a method (100) and system (1) of transferring cryptocurrency from a first node (3) to a second node (7). Both nodes (3, 7) are associated with a payroll and have a respective asymmetric cryptography pair, each pair including a master private key and a master public key. Respective additional private and public keys may be determined based on the master private key, master public key and a generator value at each node. The additional private and public keys may form a hierarchical structure. A common secret may be determined at each of the nodes (3, 7) based on the additional private and public keys. The common secret may be used to securely transmit confidential information across a communications network (5).

Abstract: A method of obtaining digitally signed data is disclosed. The method comprises sending first data (e2) from at least one of a plurality of first participants to at least one second participant, wherein the first data is based on second data (e) accessible to at least one said first participant, and the second data is inaccessible to the or each said second participant. A digital signature (s1) of the first data is received from at least one said second participant, and the digital signature of the first data is processed, by a plurality of the first participants, to provide shares of a digital signature (s) of the second data, wherein the digital signature of said second data is accessible by means of a threshold number of said shares and is inaccessible to less than said threshold number of shares.